NORMAN – The Oklahoma Regional Training Center (RTC) has announced the hire of Olympian and University of Oklahoma alumnus, Sam Hazewinkel.
Hazewinkel will serve as the head coach of the RTC, following stops at Oklahoma City University and the University of Central Oklahoma.
“We are excited to have Hazewinkel as our RTC coach. He loves the Sooners and will help our program to keep growing. He is a great addition,” Lou Rosselli, Head Coach at the University of Oklahoma on Hazewinkel’s recent hire.
The Pensacola, Fla., native, joins the RTC after a two-year head coaching stint with the Stars, where he led them their first sooner conference title in 2019 and a fifth-place finish at the 2018 NAIA championships, followed the next year with a sixth-place finish in 2019.
“I closely watched coach Rosselli’s and would frequently ask his advice. This gave me a unique view of seeing what he has done with the program from the outside but getting to understand his mindset and goals he is looking to achieve. I am more than proud to be associated with Coach Rosselli and the University of Oklahoma. I look forward to getting Oklahoma back on the map in the international scene. We have a great history both in the state and at the University of Oklahoma,” Hazewinkel says.
Prior to his time at OCU, Hazewinkel spent two years at UCO as the assistant coach. He helped the Bronchos amass 31-5 record in duals, including the program’s first unbeaten dual record in 2016-17.
Hazewinkel helped Bronhco, Eli Hale, to a national championship at 125 pounds.
“I feel like I am coming home. I left for four years and I learned a lot, had many experiences and lots of growth, but it’s not home.”
In addition to Hazewinkel’s previous coaching experience, he also has extensive international and NCAA Division I experience.
A four-time All-American at the University of Oklahoma (2004-2007), Hazewinkel is a three-time Big 12 champion and was the runner-up at the NCAA Championships in 2007. In addition, he was also a four-time academic All-American.
On the international platform, Hazewinkel has represented the United States at the 2012 Olympics in London, England in freestyle, and again at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in Greco-Roman. He has competed on nine U.S. national teams, six Greco-Roman and three Freestyle. Hazewinkel is also a two-time freestyle Pan American gold medalist and four-time US Open Champion.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from OU in 2007. Hazewinkel and his wife, Rachel, live in Oklahoma City with their two kids Josh and Ava.
For updates and more information on the Oklahoma RTC, follow them on Twitter and Instagram (@Oklahoma_RTC).